New York

Dewey & LeBoeuf Estate Seeks $103.6M Clawback From Bankrupt Firm’s Former Partners

In a settlement proposed Wednesday to some 700 former partners of Dewey & LeBoeuf, those in charge of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy under which the firm is being wound down are asking for a $103.6 million clawback. The partners have until July 24 to decide whether to accept the settlement,…

Jul 11, 2012 10:55 PM CDT

After Settling Plaintiff Lawyer’s Civil Rights Suit, Phila. Tries to Make Stop-and-Frisks Courteous

With violent crimes on the increase this year in Philadelphia and other major cities, the so-called stop-and-frisk is seen by many as a standard tool to use to crack down on possible perpetrators and illegal guns they may have in their possession. However, police in Philadelphia are trying to question…

Jul 11, 2012 9:45 PM CDT

Weil Gotshal Seeks OK of $431.6M Legal Bill for Lehman Bros. Bankruptcy, Won’t Seek Fee Enhancement

Weil Gotshal & Manges has asked a federal bankruptcy judge in Manhattan to OK more than $430 million in fees for representing Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. in a record-breaking bankruptcy case over a period of three-and-a-half years. During that time, lawyers and staff billed approximately 747,000 hours in the largest…

Jul 9, 2012 10:49 PM CDT

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes Settle Their Divorce Case

Details likely will never be known, since Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes were able to settle their divorce case shortly after it was filed by Holmes in New York less than two weeks ago. But the two celebrities have reached an agreement on what was said to be their biggest…

Jul 9, 2012 6:29 PM CDT

Federal Judge Says Kosher Deli Can Keep ‘Heart Attack’ Items On Menu, Add Triple Bypass Sandwich

A federal judge in Manhattan has sided with a New York delicatessen that filed a declaratory judgment action seeking a ruling that it could continue to offer a menu of “heart attack” themed high-calorie selections without violating the Lanham Act. Although the Arizona-based Heart Attack Grill has trademarked both its…

Jul 9, 2012 3:32 PM CDT

Judge Censured for Playing Poker

A New York judge has been censured for playing poker at a social club in 2008. By attending, District Judge Paul Hensley appeared to lend his approval to the illegal games, the New York Commission on Judicial Conduct found. It also pointed out that the judge, who sits in Suffolk…

Jul 6, 2012 5:37 PM CDT

Dewey Seeks Bankruptcy Judge OK to Pay Remaining Workers Up to $450K in ‘Morale’ Bonuses

Dewey & LeBoeuf is seeking bankruptcy court approval to pay up to $450,000 in “morale” bonuses to help retain the 52 workers it needs to wind up its operations over the next few months. However, five key employees could get another $250,000, for a total bonus pool of $700,000, depending…

Jul 5, 2012 8:25 PM CDT

2nd Circuit OKs Extortion Case Based On Lost Value of GC’s Legal Advice, Due to Blackmail Threat

In what the defendant’s lawyer called a novel and mistaken application of criminal law to an investment adviser who tried to blackmail the former general counsel for the New York comptroller, a federal appeals court has ruled that the potential lost value in compromised legal advice is sufficient “property” to…

Jul 3, 2012 3:55 PM CDT

New York AG Sues Ex-NARAL Prez, Accuses Her of Using $250K in Charity Money to Fund Lavish Lifestyle

A former president of NARAL Pro-Choice New York is being sued by the state attorney general for allegedly misappropriating some $250,000 in charitable contributions to fund her own lavish lifestyle. Kelli Conlin pleaded guilty to criminal charges a year ago, and her lawyer in that case, Robert Anello, said it…

Jul 2, 2012 10:04 PM CDT

Law Grad Arrested in Beaten Ex-Girlfriend’s Murder; Prosecutor Says Note Apologized for ‘Accident’

A law graduate sought in a manhunt last week after his ex-girlfriend’s beaten and strangled body was found surrounded by ice in a bathtub in the New York City apartment they formerly shared, has been arrested and charged in her murder. Jason Bohn, 33, a University of Florida law graduate…

Jul 2, 2012 5:26 PM CDT

Compliance Chief Peter Madoff Admits Unknowing Role in Brother Bernard Madoff’s Massive Ponzi Scheme

Portrayed by a federal prosecutor as a criminally incompetent chief compliance officer, Peter Madoff took a plea on Friday in federal court in Manhattan concerning the role he played in the massive Ponzi scheme his brother Bernard Madoff operated for decades under the guise of a hedge fund. The 66-year-old…

Jun 29, 2012 7:18 PM CDT

Already Disbarred re Other Misconduct, Ex-Lawyer Is Criminally Charged re Claimed $100K Estate Theft

A longtime New York practitioner who was previously disbarred and ordered to pay a little over $20,000 restitution to a former client is now facing criminal charges in an unrelated case. Roger J. Niemel, 69, has pleaded not guilty in Niagara County Court to charges of second-degree grand larceny and…

Jun 29, 2012 5:22 PM CDT

Law Firm Settles Feds’ Civil Rights Suit re Client’s Service Dog; Will Pay $25K, Post Welcome Sign

Without admitting wrongdoing, an upstate New York law firm has settled a civil rights lawsuit brought by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York over claimed discrimination against a disabled client. Larkin Axelrod Ingrassia & Tetenbaum will pay $20,000 to the personal injury client, Lauren Klejmont, who…

Jun 28, 2012 11:10 PM CDT

C. Allen Parker Will Be Cravath’s Next Presiding Partner; Evan Chesler to Assume New Chairman Role

C. Allen Parker will be the next presiding partner of Cravath Swaine & Moore, the firm announced Thursday. Current presiding partner Evan R. Chesler is required to step down, because he turns 63 this year, but will assume a newly created position as chairman on Jan. 1, 2013, the same…

Jun 28, 2012 8:03 PM CDT

Manhunt Is On for Law Grad Sought for Questioning in Girlfriend’s Beating Death

Updated: A little over a year ago, Jason Bohn was mentioned in the New York Times as one of a number of law graduates struggling under a heavy burden of student loan debt as they look for desirable jobs in a down economy. Now the University of Florida law graduate…

Jun 28, 2012 6:59 PM CDT